Amira started off as an illustrator of Muslim holiday and special occasion cards, which is what grabbed my attention at first. She and I met in Tripoli, Libya, first on FB (of course), and then in person, when I invited her to be the featured artist at my Caterpillar Café, which she happily did, by…

I recently wrote a post titled Why I’m not a Minimalist, and my dear sister commented on my FB page explaining that Minimalism isn’t just about getting rid of stuff, it’s about simplifying life so we have more time for loved ones, she also brought to my attention that there is at least one very…

Natascha is who I would choose to have as a sister if I could choose. She has been my bff for thirty years, and I literally knew the moment we met that we’d be forever tied. When I moved away from Switzerland I worried about missing her more than anything else, but despite the distance…

The only way to succeed is to acknowledge what you already have, as little as you might think it is, this step is essential. You won’t be going anywhere until you realize what you’ve got to work with, and with that comes the realization that you’ve got a lot more than you think. You might…

I guess Minimalism is the “West’s” attempt at a paradigmatic shift away from equating material possessions with wellbeing, and toward its obliteration: happiness = no clutter. Although I recognize that there tends to be a need for measurable and meaningful satisfaction, I’m not sure its all but complete elimination would necessarily bring about the result…

Although I grew up wearing hand-me-downs, shopping at thrift-shops, and searching for clearance deals, recycling, reusing and reducing like a pro (a must in most European cities), I have travelled and lived in parts of the world where the requirements and habits were much less rigorous. In North America for example, the cost of living…

We used to bump into each other in the elevators of our University’s Arts building as we often used the top floor to perform prayers. When I moved to a more central location to be closer to campus, I started bumping into you in my building, and the superintendent rightfully thought he should introduce us,…

Kids are not expected to fast during Ramadan, neither are the elderly, and other weaker or vulnerable people. But they are nevertheless excited about the month, as parents change their routine somewhat to accommodate meals, prayer, and extra charitable acts. Positive behavior is encouraged and all sorts of negative behaviors are discouraged. All the moral…

I’m on a ketogenic diet, if you’d like to learn more about it you can watch The Magic Pill Movie on Netflix, I am therefore constantly on the lookout for recipes that include keto friendly ingredients, so I don’t have to deprive myself too much, and can trick my brain into thinking I’m having bread,…